Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash on the skin caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. In this post, we’ll explain what shingles is, why it occurs, who is most likely to develop them, and how to protect yourself or treat the condition.
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful rash or blisters on the skin. It is caused by the same virus—herpes varicella-zoster—that causes chickenpox, which is highly contagious. Chickenpox usually affects kids under age 15 and creates an itchy, uncomfortable rash that turns into blisters. While shingles itself is not contagious, you can also catch chickenpox from someone who has shingles if you have direct contact with fluid from their rash.
After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in certain nerve cells in the body and can reactivate later in life. This second eruption of the chickenpox virus is called shingles.
What are the symptoms?
Shingles symptoms usually affect only a small section on one side of your body. These symptoms may include:
- Pain, burning or tingling
- Sensitivity to touch
- A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
- Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
- Itching
Some people also experience:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Fatigue
Pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some people, the pain can be intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes be mistaken for problems with the heart, lungs or kidneys. Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash.
Most commonly, the shingles rash develops as a stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of the torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.
Who is at risk for shingles?
Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles, especially as they get older. You can’t develop shingles unless you’ve been exposed to the chickenpox virus. However, more than 99% of Americans born in or before 1980 have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having it.
About 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime, usually after age 50. Although shingles can affect younger adults and even children, it is most common in older adults. People with weakened immune systems are also at greater risk.
What are the possible complications?
While shingles itself can be very painful and uncomfortable, it can also lead to serious complications. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition that causes severe nerve pain in the areas affected by the shingles rash. PHN pain can last for weeks or even months after the rash clears up. For some people, the pain is so severe that it hurts to put on clothing. Fortunately, it usually gets better over time.
Other potential complications include vision loss or hearing problems if it develops near the eyes or ears. Very rarely, shingles can also lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, or even death.
How is shingles treated?
Treating shingles quickly with antiviral drugs can shorten the duration and reduce the severity of its symptoms. These medications include acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir.
For most healthy people who get treatment quickly, shingles usually goes away within three to five weeks, and the blisters often leave no scars. However, some people may experience lingering pain from PHN.
Tips for coping
If you do develop shingles, there are ways to manage the condition. Here are a few tips:
- Apply cool, wet compresses to the rash to relieve pain and itching. An oatmeal bath or anti-itch cream such as calamine lotion can also help sooth your skin.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibers to reduce skin irritation.
- Keep the rash clean and covered to prevent spreading the virus to others.
- Follow your health care provider’s instructions for antiviral medications and pain management.
- Support your immune system by doing what you can to reduce stress (which can worsen symptoms) and getting plenty of rest.
Remember, if you think you might have shingles, treating it early is important, so contact your health care provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.
Can shingles be prevented?
The most effective way to prevent shingles is to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Shingrix for all healthy adults 50 years and older, regardless of whether they’ve had shingles before. Shingrix was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017. According to the CDC, two doses of Shingrix are more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and its potential complications.
Is shingles contagious?
While shingles is not contagious, the varicella-zoster virus is. If you have an active outbreak of shingles, you can pass the virus on to someone who has never had chickenpox or who has not been vaccinated against it.
If this happens, the infected person will not develop shingles, but rather chickenpox. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions to prevent transmission.
If you have shingles, follow these recommendations:
- Keep the rash well covered
- Wash your hands frequently
- And avoid close contact with people who are more vulnerable to the virus, such as infants, pregnant women, or individuals with weakened immune systems.
This way, you can help protect others and prevent the spread of the virus.
Source: magazine.medlineplus.gov; creakyjoints.org